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Fresh Air's book critic says her picks tilt a bit to nonfiction, but the novels that made the cut redress the imbalance by their sweep and intensity. Karen Russell's The Antidote was her favorite.

When "Hot" first hit the airwaves in 1996, it didn’t just ignite excitement — it sparked a cultural bonfire. With its infectious blend of swing, jazz, Delta blues, and Southern storytelling, "Hot" rocketed the Squirrel Nut Zippers from the underground scene of Chapel Hill, NC, to the national stage, achieving Platinum status and defining a generation’s rediscovery of vintage Americana. Now, three decades later, the Zippers are rekindling that fire with “In the Afterlife” tour dates, a 30th anniversary celebration of the album that captured lightning in a bottle and cemented the band’s legacy as one of the most original and unpredictable acts of the era. The show, which will feature the band performing Hot in its entirety, will kick off February 13 in Los Angeles, CA at the Teragram Ballroom. Tickets for the February “In the Afterlife” tour dates are available now at https://www.snzippers.com/tourdates. Recorded at the famed Kingsway Studio in New Orleans (owned by Daneil Lanois), "Hot" radiated authenticity. The album’s warm analog sound and wry, vivid storytelling made it a critical and commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 for an impressive 51 weeks. The record produced standout tracks such as “Put a Lid On It,” “Blue Angel,” and the band’s biggest hit to date, “Hell.” “Hell,” an unlikely radio single at the time, defied expectations, climbing to #13 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay Chart and embedding itself in pop culture history. Nearly 30 years later, it continues to resonate with new audiences, recently featured in hit TV series like Wednesday (2025) and Lucifer (2021). “'Hot' was pure alchemy — a mix of mischief, melody, and magic,” said bandleader Jimbo Mathus. “It was never meant to chase trends; it was meant to burn bright and last. And somehow, it still does.” Formed in 1993 by Mathus, Katharine Whalen, and a tight-knit crew of musical misfits, the Squirrel Nut Zippers defied genre from the start. Their sound — a spirited blend of prohibition-era jazz, big band bravado, and punk-rock irreverence — invited listeners into a world where vaudeville met voodoo and speakeasy swagger met Southern soul. Led today by Mathus, and managed by founding drummer Chris Phillips, the modern-day Zippers continue to honor that rich legacy while bringing fresh fire to their beloved catalog. The 30th anniversary of "Hot" is more than a milestone — it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of music that swings, sings, and sizzles with soul. Fans old and new can expect a show that’s equal parts celebration and revival — a joyful journey through the sound that started it all. Squirrel Nut Zippers on Facebook / Instagram

The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question".

The new movie stars Lucy Liu as an ailing mother to Joe, played by Lawrence Shou as a teenager facing mental illness in his feature debut role.

The Breeders' Cup at Del Mar is a prestigious horse racing event that draws enthusiasts from around the world to witness some of the best thoroughbreds compete. Held at the scenic Del Mar racetrack, the event offers thrilling races alongside picturesque views of the ocean. It serves as a pinnacle of the racing season, combining sport with the vibrant spirit of Southern California. Visit: https://breederscup.com/ Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Instagram and Facebook

First, new analysis puts the Colorado River at risk. Then, for the first time ever a group of faculty at USD have a union contract. Next, we take you behind-the-scenes of FC’s Right To Dream Academy in El Cajon. Finally, another installation of our new segment: The Pod behind the Package.

On the surface it's a gorgeous, hardscrabble Western, awash in stark landscapes, grubby faces, bar fights and banditry. But scratch away the grime, and you expose the pure, glitzy soap opera beneath.

Thursday's attack is the latest in the fighting between the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, also known as the RSF, and the Sudanese military, who have been at war for over two years.

In Somalia, people are pushing back and pointing to the positives after President Trump disparaged their country.

Hours after a November storm, the Tijuana River flooded a grove of trees in Imperial Beach, gushed through a row of culverts and exploded into mounds of fetid foam.